“Last year, local doctors set out with a goal of “no new addicts,” and Anderson says he sees progress.
“The recognition and education has already made a big impact in our community,” he said.
About four months ago, the St. Joseph Health System worked with its emergency departments to limit the amount of opioids being prescribed, especially for an acute injury. Now, emergency room doctors will only prescribe up to 12 pills of Tylenol 3, Anderson said, which has a lower risk of addiction compared to other opioid pain medications.
Before, it wasn’t uncommon for doctors to write prescriptions for 20 to 60 pills.
“We need to educate doctors that they don’t need to write large prescription for narcotics at all,” Anderson said. “You don’t want to give 60 pills. You may not want to give any. Look for other methods.”
Beacon Health System has made similar changes in its emergency room’s prescribing practices, said Dr. Brandon Zabukovic, who specializes in both family and addiction medicine. The ERs are instructed to only prescribe a few days’ worth of pain medication, giving the patient enough relief until they can meet with their doctor.
Beyond the emergency room, other doctors within Saint Joseph Health are encouraged to discuss their opioid prescribing practices, Anderson said. Trinity Health, Saint Joseph Health’s parent company, also expects prescribing doctors to complete at least two hours of continuing education on opioid management by 2019.
Beacon will focus on its surgical department, Zabukovic said. Doctors will travel to Virginia this month to work with the Mayo Clinic on prescribing practices for patients recovering from general surgery.”